Sliding window assembly

ABSTRACT

A sliding window assembly includes a frame with a track, and a sliding window portion disposed in the frame and displaceable in the track between a closed position and an open position. The sliding window portion includes a handle pivotable between a lock position and a slide position, and a driving pin coupled with the handle and engaging the track. The driving pin defines a pivot axis for the handle. A guide pin spaced from the driving pin is selectively engageable with the track when the handle is pivoted from the lock position to the slide position. With the handle in the slide position, the sliding window portion is displaceable from its closed position to an open position.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/929,773, filed Jul. 15, 2020, pending, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/874,091, filed Jul. 15, 2019,the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated byreference in this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(NOT APPLICABLE)

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a sliding window assembly and, moreparticularly, to a sliding window assembly with a pivot handle thatfacilitates opening, sliding and flush closing.

Sliding window assemblies are used in land and marine environments toprovide for easily opening and closing a section of a window. Slidingwindows are used for rear cab windows, side cab windows, bus driverwindows, etc. In a flush slider assembly, with the window in a closedposition, the window panes (or the window and frame) are substantiallyflush defining a planar surface. The planar/flush closed window providesa much cleaner and desirable appearance.

In a typical flush slider assembly, the window panel is usuallycooperable with a jogged track or pathway to be displaced across andforward into the flush configuration. The configurations using a joggedtrack, however, are typically expensive to manufacture and aresusceptible to design defects that make it more difficult to close thewindow.

The devices described above, however, have some limitations ordrawbacks. In particular, the known devices are constrained to usemobile elements of reduced thickness, typically between 2 and 6millimeters, because greater thicknesses would lead to excessiveencumbrance of the mobile element during translation in the curvilinearsection, such as to prevent its complete entry inside the frame opening.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The sliding window assembly of the described embodiments can be used ina multitude of land and marine environments. When closed, the slidingportion of the glass may be flush with the frame or with an adjacentfixed portion of the window, giving the entire system a much cleanerappearance. The displacement and articulation of the glass also providesa tight seal between the frame and the slide portion of the glass. As aresult, there can be a reduction in noise external to the vehicle, andwater infiltration can be prevented. Additionally, the describedembodiments can accommodate mobile elements of greater thicknesses,typically between 2 and 18 millimeters or more.

In an exemplary embodiment, a sliding window assembly includes a frameincluding a track, and a sliding window portion disposed in the frameand displaceable in the track between a closed position and an openposition. The sliding window portion includes a leading end and atrailing end with a handle pivotally coupled with the leading end thatis pivotable between a lock position and a slide position. A first guidepin is disposed on the trailing end and engaging the frame, and adriving pin coupled with the handle and engaging the track defines apivot axis for the handle. A locking assembly is coupled with the handleand includes a second guide pin displaceable in a forward transitionregion. The second guide pin is spaced from the driving pin, and thesecond guide pin is selectively engageable with the track via theforward transition region when the handle is pivoted from the lockposition to the slide position.

The sliding window portion may also include a rearward transition regionintegral with the frame adjacent the trailing end of the sliding windowportion, where the first guide pin engages the rearward transitionregion when the sliding window portion is in the closed position. Therearward transition region may include a transition track that extendsfrom an inline position retracted from the track to a track-alignedposition in alignment with the track. In this context, the transitiontrack may be substantially S-shaped. The sliding window portion may alsoinclude a trailing end washer bearing positioned between the trailingend and the transition track, where the first guide pin extends throughthe trailing end washer bearing.

The forward transition region may include a channel with a first legsubstantially perpendicular to the track and a second leg aligned withthe track. With the sliding window portion in the closed position andthe handle in the lock position, the driving pin and the second guidepin may be disposed in the first leg, and when the handle is pivoted tothe slide position, the driving pin and the second guide pin may bedisplaced into the second leg in alignment with the track.

With the sliding window portion in the closed position and the handle inthe lock position, the driving pin and the second guide pin may bealigned and substantially perpendicular to the track. When the handle ispivoted to the slide position, the driving pin and the second guide pinmay be aligned and in alignment with the track.

The sliding window portion may also include a leading end washer bearingpositioned between the handle and the forward transition region, wherethe driving pin and the second guide pin extend through the leading endwasher bearing.

In another exemplary embodiment, a sliding window assembly includes aframe with a track, and a sliding window portion disposed in the frameand displaceable in the track between a closed position and an openposition. The sliding window portion includes a leading end and atrailing end and is provided with a handle pivotally coupled with theleading end that is pivotable between a lock position and a slideposition. A driving pin coupled with the handle and engaging the trackdefines a pivot axis for the handle. A guide pin spaced from the drivingpin is selectively engageable with the track when the handle is pivotedfrom the lock position to the slide position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and advantages will be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the sliding window assembly in aclosed position;

FIG. 2 shows the sliding window assembly with the handle being pivotedto a slide position;

FIG. 3 shows the sliding window assembly with the sliding window portionin an open position;

FIG. 4 shows details of the sliding window assembly components; and

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the forward transition region and leadingend washer bearing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sliding window assembly 10 with asliding window portion 12 in a closed position. The sliding windowportion 12 is disposed in a window frame 14 including a groove 15 (FIG.4) securing a track 16. Although only two sides of the window frame 14are shown in FIG. 1, the window frame may be constructed with top andbottom members as well (or even full perimeter frame). Additionally, afixed window portion may form part of the sliding window assembly, wherethe sliding window portion 12 is aligned with and flush relative to thefixed window portion in the closed position, whereas the sliding windowassembly enables the sliding window portion to be displaced inward to atleast partially overlay the fixed window portion in an open position.

The sliding window portion 12 is displaceable in the track 16 betweenthe closed position (FIG. 1) and the open position (FIG. 3). The slidingwindow portion 12 includes a leading end 18 and a trailing end 20. Ahandle 22 is pivotally coupled with the leading end 18 between a lockedposition and a slide position. FIG. 1 shows the handle 22 in the lockedposition, and FIG. 2 shows the handle 22 in the slide position.

FIG. 4 shows details of the sliding window portion 12. The handle 22 ispivotally coupled with leading end 18 and is pivotable between thelocked position and the slide position. A first guide pin 24 is disposedon the trailing end 20 and engages the frame 14 via a rearwardtransition region 26 when the sliding window portion 12 is in the closedposition. A second guide pin 32 is disposed on the leading end 18 and iscoupled with a driving pin 28 via a washer bearing 38. The driving pin28 is an extension of the handle 22 and engages the track 16 throughrotation of the handle 22 via a locking assembly 30. The driving pin 28defines a pivot axis for the handle 22. The second guide pin 32 engagesa forward transition region 34. The locking assembly 30 includes thesecond guide pin 32 that is displaceable in the forward transitionregion 34, which may be formed or molded monolithically with the track16. FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment where the forward transitionregion is a removable plate that is secured to the frame 14 in a firstrecess 35 by suitable connectors. As shown, the second guide pin 32 isspaced from the driving pin 28, whereby pivoting of the handle 22 causesdisplacement of the second guide pin 32.

The second guide pin 32 is selectively engageable with the track 16 viathe forward transition region 34 when the handle 22 is pivoted on thedriving pin 28 from the locked position to the slide position.

With reference to FIG. 5 and continued reference to FIG. 4, the firsttransition region 34 includes an L-shaped or curved channel 36 with afirst leg 36 a oriented substantially perpendicular to the track 16 anda second leg 36 b aligned with the track 16. In this context, with thesliding window portion 12 in the closed position, and the handle 22 inthe lock position, the driving pin 28 and second guide pin 32 aredisposed in the first leg 36 a of the L-shaped channel 36. When thehandle 22 is pivoted to the slide position (rotated clockwise on drivingpin 28 in FIG. 4), the driving pin 28 and the second guide pin 32 aredisplaced into the second leg 36 b in alignment with the track 16. Thatis, the second guide pin 32 translates in the first leg 36 a of theL-shaped channel 36 until the driving pin 28 and the second guide pin 32are positioned into the second leg 36 b, which is aligned with the track16, after which the driving pin 28 and the second guide pin 32 aredisplaceable linearly in the track 16. The channel 36 thus guides thepins 28, 32 into alignment with the track 16.

The locking assembly 30 may further include a leading end washer bearing38 positioned between the handle 22 and the forward transition region34. The driving pin 28 and the second guide pin 32 extend through theleading end washer bearing 38. The leading end washer bearing 38 isdimensioned larger than a width of the track 16 and as such rides on topof the track 16 when the sliding window portion 12 is displaced to itsopen position. The larger dimension of the end washer bearing 38prevents it from falling into the track 16, which prevents binding ofthe sliding window portion 12. The washer bearing has a shoulder thatapplies leverage to the interior of the track 16 during rotation of thehandle 22 at a transition state between locked and sliding positions.The leading end washer bearing 38 may be made of a material thatfacilitates sliding between the leading end washer bearing 38 and thetrack 16. For example, the leading end washer bearing 38 may be made ofsemi-crystalline thermoplastics like Acetals, nylons or polypropylenes.

The driving pin 28 may form part of a handle connector 40 or the likethat is secured directly to the handle 22. Additionally, the secondguide pin 32 may form part of a guide pin housing 42 cooperable with theconnector 40. In other embodiments, the driving pin 28 and second guidepin 32 may be integrated with the sliding window portion 12 moredirectly or by other suitable methods.

The rearward transition region 26 may be formed or molded monolithicallywith the track 16. FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment where therearward transition region is a removable plate secured to the frame 14in a second recess 43 by suitable connectors. The rearward transitionregion includes a transition track 44 that extends from an in-lineposition retracted from the track 16 to a track-aligned position inalignment with the track 16. As shown, the transition track 44 issubstantially S-shaped. That is, the transition track 44 is configuredto guide the first guide pin 24 into the track 16 as the sliding windowportion 12 is displaced toward the open position. The track 44 thusincludes a curved portion 44 a connected to the in-line retractedposition, an angled portion 44 b extending away from the in-lineretracted position, and another curved portion 44 c to align thetransition track 44 with the track 16 in or secured to the frame 14.These multiple turns and angled section of the transition track 44define a substantial S-shape.

The first guide pin 24 may form part of a pin housing 46 that issecurable in a corresponding channel 48 adjacent the trailing end 20. Inother embodiments, the first guide pin 24 may be integrated with thesliding window portion 12 more directly or by other suitable methods. Atrailing end washer bearing 50 may be positioned between the trailingend 20 and the transition track 44, where the first guide pin 24 extendsthrough the trailing end washer bearing 50. The trailing end washerbearing 50 is configured to glide on the rearward transition region 26and on top of the track 16. Like the leading end washer bearing 38, thetrailing end washer bearing 50 is dimensioned larger than the track 16to maintain the level of the sliding window portion 12 duringdisplacement between the closed and open positions, and also preventstrailing end washer bearing 50 from falling into the track 16 andcreating binding of the sliding window portion 12.

The forward transition region 34 also includes a rear channel 36 c inalignment with the second leg 36 b of the L-shaped channel 36. The rearchannel 36 c provides a continuous path for the first guide pin 24 topass over/through the forward transition region 34 when the slidingwindow portion 12 is displaced to its open position. In the closedposition, the driving pin 28 applies pressure in the forward transitionregion 34 on a recessed surface 36 d between the second leg 36 b and therear channel 36 c (see also FIG. 5).

As noted, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, as the handle 22 is pivotedfrom the lock position to the slide position, the driving pin 28 and thesecond guide pin 32 shift in the forward transition region 34 from anorientation substantially perpendicular to the track 16 to anorientation in alignment with the track 16. The leading end 18 of thesliding window portion 12 is thus displaced inwardly relative to theframe 14 and slightly in the direction of the track 16 upon rotation ofthe handle 22. With the handle 22 in the slide position, the slidingwindow portion 12 is displaceable to its open position. The first guidepin 24 follows the transition track 44 into the track 16 fordisplacement with the sliding window portion 12.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

1. A sliding window assembly comprising: a frame including a track; asliding window portion disposed in the frame and displaceable in thetrack between a closed position and an open position, the sliding windowportion including a leading end and a trailing end and comprising ahandle pivotally coupled with the leading end, the handle beingpivotable between a lock position and a slide position; and a pinassembly cooperable with the handle and including a driving pin and aguide pin spaced from the driving pin, wherein with the sliding windowportion in the closed position and the handle in the lock position, thedriving pin and the guide pin are aligned and substantiallyperpendicular to the track, and wherein when the handle is pivoted tothe slide position, the driving pin and the guide pin are aligned and inalignment with the track.
 2. A sliding window assembly according toclaim 1, wherein the handle is pivotable about the driving pin.
 3. Asliding window assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sliding windowportion further comprises a leading end washer through which the drivingpin and the guide pin extend.
 4. A sliding window assembly according toclaim 3, wherein the leading end washer bearing is interposed betweenthe handle and the track, and wherein the driving pin and the guide pinextend through the leading end washer bearing and into the track.
 5. Asliding window assembly according to claim 4, wherein the leading endwasher bearing is dimensioned larger than a width of the track and rideson top of the track when the sliding window portion is displaced.
 6. Asliding window assembly according to claim 1, further comprising aforward transition region cooperable with the track that receives thedriving pin and the guide pin, wherein the guide pin is selectivelyengageable with the track via the forward transition region when thehandle is pivoted from the lock position to the slide position.
 7. Asliding window assembly according to claim 6, wherein the forwardtransition region includes a channel with a first leg substantiallyperpendicular to the track and a second leg aligned with the track,wherein with the sliding window portion in the closed position and thehandle in the lock position, the driving pin and the guide pin aredisposed in the first leg, and wherein when the handle is pivoted to theslide position, the driving pin and the guide pin are displaced into thesecond leg in alignment with the track.
 8. A sliding window assemblyaccording to claim 7, wherein the forward transition region comprises arear channel in alignment with the second leg, and wherein the rearchannel provides a continuous path for the guide pin to passover/through the forward transition region when the sliding windowportion is displaced to its open position.
 9. A sliding window assemblyaccording to claim 8, wherein the forward transition region furthercomprises a recessed surface between the second leg and the rearchannel, and wherein in the closed position, the driving pin appliespressure in the forward transition region on the recessed surface.
 10. Asliding window assembly according to claim 6, wherein the forwardtransition region comprises a removable plate that is secured to theframe in a recess.
 11. A sliding window assembly comprising: a frameincluding a track; a sliding window portion displaceable in the trackbetween a closed position and an open position, the sliding windowportion comprising a pivot handle; a pin assembly cooperable with thepivot handle and including a guide pin spaced from a driving pin,wherein the pivot handle is pivotable about the driving pin between alock position and a slide position, and wherein pivoting of the pivothandle effects displacement of the guide pin relative to the slidingwindow portion.
 12. A sliding window assembly according to claim 11,further comprising a forward transition region cooperable with the trackthat receives the driving pin and the guide pin, wherein the guide pinis selectively engageable with the track via the forward transitionregion when the pivot handle is pivoted from the lock position to theslide position.
 13. A sliding window assembly according to claim 12,wherein the forward transition region includes a channel with a firstleg substantially perpendicular to the track and a second leg alignedwith the track, wherein with the sliding window portion in the closedposition and the pivot handle in the lock position, the driving pin andthe guide pin are disposed in the first leg, and wherein when the pivothandle is pivoted to the slide position, the driving pin and the guidepin are displaced into the second leg in alignment with the track.
 14. Asliding window assembly according to claim 12, wherein the forwardtransition region comprises a removable plate that is secured to theframe in a recess.
 15. A method of operating a sliding window assemblythat includes a frame with a track, a sliding window portion disposed inthe frame and displaceable in the track via a handle between a closedposition and an open position, and a pin assembly cooperable with thehandle and including a driving pin and a guide pin spaced from thedriving pin, the method comprising: (a) with the sliding window portionin the closed position and the handle in a lock position, aligning thedriving pin and the guide pin in an orientation substantiallyperpendicular to the track; (b) pivoting the handle to a slide positionsuch that the driving pin and the guide pin are aligned and in anorientation in alignment with the track, wherein as the handle ispivoted from the lock position to the slide position, the methodincluding shifting the driving pin and the guide pin from theorientation substantially perpendicular to the track to the orientationin alignment with the track; (c) displacing the sliding window portioninwardly relative to the frame and toward the track upon pivoting of thehandle in step (b); and (d) with the handle in the slide position,displacing the sliding window portion to the open position.